School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

BSc (Hons) Environmental Geography

This degree explores the relationships between people, places and the environment and how past, present and future environmental challenges can be tackled at various spatial scales and in a variety of global contexts. Hence, our Environmental Geography degree provides students with the knowledge and skills to understand and tackle the biggest global challenges facing the planet and humanity; and our modules do this by engaging with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

You will learn from expert, accessible, and supportive staff who are skilled researchers in their field. Your learning has a strong emphasis on applied skills and career development, with an optional placement year offering work experience. Plymouth is the ideal setting as a vibrant urban environment surrounded by iconic rural and coastal landscapes.

This exciting new course is currently subject to approval and will be available for September 2024 entry.
Key features
  • Your degree pathway is flexible, as you can choose both physical geography (GGP) and human geography (GGH) modules, alongside modules from Environmental Science (ENVS) and Environmental Management and Sustainability (ENVM).
  • Teaching is innovative and student-centred. You will learn through lectures, seminars, practicals, national and/or international residential fieldwork, tutorials and one-to-one dissertation support.
  • Learn to use Geographical Information Systems to analyse and communicate complex spatial data.
  • Take the opportunity to spend your second year studying abroad in Europe, Canada, Australia, USA or elsewhere through our bilateral and ISEP exchange programme.
  • Our focus on employability and applied geography supports students to pursue a range of career opportunities.
  • Choose an optional work placement programme providing skills, experience and contacts in a wide range of employment sectors.
  • Benefit from our unique location, in the heart of the historical city of Plymouth, bordered by Dartmoor National Park as well as the Tamar Valley and South Hams Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Devon and Cornwall have glorious beaches, coasts, rivers and estuaries.
Course details

  • Year 1

  • In your first year, modules will introduce you to the latest developments in human, physical and environmental geography. Undertake fieldwork and develop your practical and applied skills through lab work. You’ll also take part in small group tutorials.

  • Year 2

  • In your second year, you’ll deepen your knowledge with a wide range of optional modules in human, physical and environmental geography and core modules in theories, practical skills and careers development. You’ll also have the chance to take overseas field courses (recent courses have run in Morocco, USA, Iceland, Australia and Sweden).

  • Optional placement year

  • Choose an optional year working in industry to improve your knowledge of applied geography and gain invaluable work experience. Our employability service will help you find a placement from our extensive network across all sectors.

  • Final year

  • In your final year, you’ll write a dissertation on any aspect of environmental geography. There’s a wide range of optional modules in human, physical, and environmental geography, plus the option of taking a work experience module to prepare you for your first job.
Entry requirements

UCAS tariff

104 - 112

A-level
Normal minimum entry requirements are 104 - 112 UCAS points, a typical offer is 112 points from a minimum of 2 A-levels. To also including GCSE English and Mathematics grade C /4 or above or equivalent. 
BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma
DMM. The full list of modules should be stated and it would be expected to include a range of topics complementary to geography. Individual advice can be provided by the admissions tutor. To also include GCSE English and Mathematics grade C /4 or above or equivalent. 
Access to Higher Education at level 3
Pass a named Access to HE Diploma (e.g. science, humanities, combined), (including GCSE English and Mathematics grade C /4 or above or equivalent) with at least 33 credits at merit. 
Welsh Baccalaureate
104-112 UCAS points – can be accepted as a supplement to 2 A Levels, including Geography. The Skills Challenge Certificate can also be included in UCAS points or alongside points from other qualifications (e.g. A-level).   
Scottish Qualifications Authority
104-112 UCAS points from Scottish Highers or Advanced Highers.   
Irish Leaving Certificate
BBBBB in Highers including Geography. Irish Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level Grade C or above for English and Maths.  
International Baccalaureate
26-27 points overall. English and Mathematics must be included.  
Progression from foundation year geography
Students who pass the Plymouth foundation year geography programme are guaranteed progression to a choice of one of the BSc/BA (Hons) geography programmes. Detailed advice will be provided by the Admissions Tutor. 
Fees, costs and funding
Student 2023-2024 2024-2025
Home N/A £9,250
International N/A £18,100
Part time (Home) N/A £770
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.

Postgraduate scholarships for international students

We offer several scholarships for international students who wish to study postgraduate taught (PGT) degree programmes.

Additional costs

This course is delivered by the Faculty of Science and Engineering and more details of any additional costs associated with the faculty's courses are listed on the following page: Additional fieldwork and equipment costs.

Tuition fees for optional placement years

The fee for all undergraduate students completing any part of their placement year in the UK in 2023/2024 is £1,850.
The fee for all undergraduate students completing their whole placement year outside the UK in 2023/2024 is £1,385.
 Learn more about placement year tuition fees

How to apply
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). 
UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code. 
To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.
Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Assessment

  • 6Practical: 12%

  • .Exams: 9%

  • bCoursework: 79%

Fieldwork

Fieldwork is an essential part of studying geography. Our Royal Geographical Society accreditation means that all of our degree courses include learning through practical experience from the field. 
Fieldwork may be subject to change due to staffing and external factors.

Discover facilities in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

As student in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences you will have access to a range of cutting-edge resources and facilities.  
These will support your learning in the field and in the laboratory – whether in traditional chemistry lab or a high-performance computing room. Many are solely for the use of our students and researchers and you will also have access to LABplus Resource Centre and the Marine Station.
 
BSc (Hons) Environmental Science students on Dartmoor

Careers with geography

Studying geography develops your analytical and communication skills and your ability to evaluate data, all strengths that are in demand in the graduate jobs market. Like other science graduates, you have a broad range of career paths open to you, though you may be particularly drawn to areas such as environmental planning, health, politics education, commerce, industry, transport, tourism, public sectors and international relations. 
Explore webinars and resources from the Royal Geographical Society to discover more about careers options for geography graduates.
Geography 50

Centre for Research in Environment and Society (CeRES)

Our research is focused on environment-society interactions, environmental processes and change, and their governance through regulation, management policies and stakeholder involvement. 
Individual staff engage with a wide range of other departments in universities and research institutes from around the world.
Soil erosion. Will Blake. 

Academic staff